Plasma physics and dynamics applied to space power and propulsion, plasma gasification for waste disposal, environmental acoustics

Characterizing and engineering plant-microbe interactions at plant-microbe interfaces.  We explore the mechanisms of interaction between non-model bacteria and living plants or lignocellulosic biomass. Then using this mechanistic understanding we engineer these bacteria, plants, and/or their interactions to develop new technologies for the bio-agriculture or bio-energy industries.

Fusion energy research, theoretical plasma physics, nuclear reactor physics, Astrophysical plasmas.

The economics and regulation of energy markets to account for environmental and reliability needs of society. Understand the incentives created under various regulatory schemes and the trade-offs inherent in policy decision-making.

Multi-phase flow in porous media; applications of complex fluids for water remediation; fluid dynamics of CO2 sequestration; fundamental science guiding effective and environmentally-friendly routes to enhance oil recovery; controlling function of microbial communities in soils and porous rocks for bio-remediation and water filtration.

Our group is passionate about addressing pressing needs in both human health and the health of the planet, and inspired by the integrated, hierarchical materials ubiquitously leveraged by the natural world. We aim to address these needs via synthetic systems that use a combination of molecular level polymer design, controlled local self-assembly, and structural integration and alignment via additive manufacturing to achieve functional, hierarchical materials featuring structural control from the molecular to the macroscopic.

We achieve this by working at the intersection of polymer synthesis, polymer characterization, polymer physics and self-assembly, and additive manufacturing.
Our specific research interests include: (1) investigating fundamental science linking polymer structure and function in new classes of stimuli-responsive and actuating elastomers and gels, (2) programming alignment and integration of functional polymers via additive manufacturing, linking local structure-directing processes with emergent properties and new applications, and (3) developing sustainable and degradable polymers and block copolymers.

Molecular modeling of hydrate melting and formation as possible approach to carbon sequestration; molecular modeling of heterogeneous ice nucleation for improved weather and climate models; computational modeling of phase behavior of water, carbon dioxide and salt mixtures for carbon capture and storage and geothermal energy production; computational investigation of water in nafion membranes for fuel cells; desalination with gas hydrates for improved fresh water production and greater energy efficiency

Numerical and experimental studies of turbulent multi-phase flows in environmental systems, air-sea interaction, waves and breaking waves, drops and bubbles

Climate-model development; cloud and convective processes in the atmospheric general circulation; role of clouds in climate and climate change

Petroleum and non-petroleum derived transportation fuels and fuel blends, their production, chemical kinetics, energy security, and net carbon cycle emission impacts; ignition, combustion, and air pollutant emissions generation/abatement; syngas/high-hydrogen content fuels for advanced gas turbine power generation; fire safety related issues on earth and in micro gravity environments